The only thing we can be absolutely sure of is our own consciousness. But what is consciousness? Is it a property that is unique to humans or do we share it with other lifeforms?

Or is the philosophical doctrine of panpsychism correct—are stars and the entire universe conscious in some sense?

Early chapters in this book examine the prehistory, mythology, and history of this topic. Arguments are presented from the viewpoints of shamans, philosophers, poets, quantum physicists, and novelists.

A simple “toy” model of panpsychism is then presented, in which...